This section of the site look at smart tasks: short enquiry-led thinking skills activities. Unlike the outstanding lessons section, they do not attempt to offer a lesson plan but do offer a fully-resourced activity with clear learning objectives that can be used flexibly at different stages of a lesson. Some are starters, some plenaries, but most are simply highly effective ways of deepening pupils’ historical understanding. At present there are smart tasks on the following. In time, there will be just as many smart tasks as full lessons, and probably more.
The Gunpowder Plot: Dear Producer
Pupils predict what a short video clip should show and then evaluate a real example.
The Great Fire.
Can you help Tom and Jane put out the Great Fire? Using an excellent new website from the Museum of London and project partners this lesson combines the very best of fascinating narrative and use of sources. The children readily identify with the action involving the two children, but they also need to be able to use sources appropriately in order to help them put out the Great Fire. A real gem of a resource imaginatively used.
